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Eczema and Smallpox:A Scary Combination

September 4th, 2010

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Bio terrorism has made vaccination of various diseases, including smallpox, a plausible solution to threats. In June of 2003, key military personnel, key emergency personnel (fire fighters, law enforcement, etc) and first line health care workers began receiving the vaccine.

In 2004, all American people who wanted it were able to get the small pox vaccination. Because the vaccine was discontinued in 1972, researchers have only historical records to study concerning the number of people who may be affected, but it is known that people who suffer from Atopic Dermatitis (AD) are at risk with this vaccination.

The reason that the impact is hard to determine is because people were not always accurately diagnosed before the smallpox vaccine was discontinued. There are no accurate records concerning the number of American people who suffered from AD and therefore, how they reacted to vaccinations. Because of this, it is important for all people who have AD (most people call this eczema, even though there are several forms of eczema) to be wary of the smallpox vaccination. Approximately 17 million American people have this disease.

Eczema patients have an immune deficiency within the skin which lets certain viruses into the body. Among a variety of viruses, the virus that causes smallpox is certain threat to people with this skin disease. Vaccinia is the virus which is used to immunize against smallpox and can create an infection called eczema vaccinatum in eczema patients.

The infection can spread very quickly both internally and externally and can become lethal when not treated. Patients with the form of eczema known as Atopic Dermatitis may have a lifetime risk associated with the smallpox virus, but other form of eczema seem to be safer when not having a flare up. AD patients seem to be susceptible whether they are even when their skin condition is in recession.

Eczema patients should not only opt against the vaccine, but they should stay away from close friends and family who have had it for a period of 24 to 48 hours. Immediate family members of eczema patients should not receive the vaccine.

With others who have had the vaccination, contact transmission is the main risk. The live virus used in vaccinating people is on the surface of the area where they received the vaccination and can be transmitted to others who touch the area. Airborne transmission is only a worry in cases of outbreak, not with vaccination.

If you have eczema and come in contact with the vaccine is it important to see your physician immediately, especially if you are in the midst of a flare up because the virus can easily enter the broken skin. While most people who get the smallpox rash recover easily with treatment, but eczema sufferers often end up with scarring or, in some cases, death.

You have been exposed if you touch an injection site before it has completely healed, if you come into contact with any other thing on which the virus remains live. Bandages, clothing, towels, and/or washcloths are all items that may have come in contact with the live virus and could still be carrying it.

Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG) is used in treatment if you are exposed to the virus. With prompt treatment, you should have little trouble, but patients who have been exposed become seriously ill, manifesting systemic symptoms and possibly death if treatment for the disease is still denied.

According to the Chief of the Division of Dermatology of King/Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles, and a member of the NEASE Scientific Advisory Committee, “People with eczema or atopic dermatitis tend to have a mild immune defect in their skin that can allow certain viruses such as Vaccinia (the live virus used in the smallpox vaccine) to spread both over the skin and internally, sometimes causing a lethal infection.” Vaccinated people are urged to keep the affected area covered with specialized bandages to reduce and possibly eliminate the risk of transmission.

The CDC has developed a questionnaire to determine people at risk from this vaccination as well as those who would impose danger on immediate family members. Since the world is currently free of smallpox cases, so precautions need only be taken in concern with vaccinated people.

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Psoriasis And Eczema What Is The Difference

September 1st, 2010

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Eczema is an itchy inflammation of the skin most common in children although it can affect adults as well. It affects any part of the body and is also known as Atopic Dermatitis. It is caused by a hypersensitivity of the skin, which is made worse by various factors including dry skin, stress, and temperature changes. These irritants can cause inflammation over long periods of time. This inflammation can in turn cause itchiness and the skin becomes dry, scaly and damaged. In some cases where the sufferer has scratched consistently, the skin can become thicker and appear leathery in order to cope with the damage from scratching. If the Eczema sufferer is an adult, it is generally due to a long-term condition or recurring bouts of the condition.
Psoriasis is caused when the skin cells of the epidermis multiply at an abnormally high rate. This causes the skin to thicken and become scaly. The skin then becomes inflamed and red as white blood cells enter the skin. Psoriasis occurs at any age and generally appears from the age of 15 to 25. Although Psoriasis is caused by an unusual growth of skin cells it is not a related condition to cancer and the condition itself is harmless although distressing for sufferers.
In comparison with Eczema, Psoriasis symptoms include red scaly skin that is quite thick whereas Eczema is typically red, scaly skin that can appear moist in some areas. Eczema may not always appear moist however and in some cases the skin can also become thick which makes diagnosis difficult. Both conditions can appear on the hands, feet or neck, however Psoriasis will typically appear on the back of the elbows and the front of the knees, whereas Eczema will be on the reverse of these sides. It is often a common belief the Psoriasis is found on the scalp primarily but it can be found anywhere and Eczema can also be found on the scalp. You may not always be able to tell these two conditions apart if the skin condition is on an area that is typically shared by both and the symptoms are typical of both conditions. Hands and feet are the most difficult areas to determine but topical creams can be very effective for both of these conditions so it should not interfere with treatment.
If you are suffering from either Eczema or Psoriasis, a topical cream can help to soothe and alleviate the symptoms of these conditions without the need of determining which ones you have. If you are suffering from a skin condition and your doctor has been unable to determine which condition it is there are treatments available that can help regardless of the skin condition you suffer from. Even though both these skin conditions are caused by different means the treatment of them is primarily the same. A soothing natural cream that contains vital natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera a well-known skin-enhancing ingredient that has been noted as having various health benefits will provide you with natural and effective Eczema or Psoriasis relief whatever your skin condition is within a time period of about 4 to 12 months of regular use.

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Curing Eczema in Old Age

August 14th, 2010

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Eczema is an inflammatory condition that causes the skin to become red, scaly and itchy. An inflammation of the skin, usually causing itching and sometimes accompanied by crusting, scaling or blisters. A type of eczema often made worse by allergen exposure is termed “atopic dermatitis.” A chronic inflammatory skin condition that usually initially appears in young children who have an inherited predisposition to allergies. Many children with atopic dermatitis go on to develop atopic (allergic) rhinitis or atopic (allergic) asthma.

It was seen that eczema skin symptoms vary from person to person but, however, the most usual eczema skin symptoms are reddening of the skin, a prolonged itching sensation, swelling of the affected areas, and sometimes blistering, and crusting.Itching is an important symptom of eczema, and those with atopic dermatitis are more sensitive to it, needing to scratch for a long time. It is known that scratching and rubbing in response to itching makes the skin inflammation get worse.

All alergies has resistance levels. This means if you give a product today and it was OK then that does not mean that person is not allergetic to it. Tomorow the same product can trigger allergies. Eczema usually results from internal factors, such as the absorption of irritant chemicals, soaps, and shampoos, allergy to wheat (gluten), etc.

Evening Primrose Oil – this is either applied topically or taken in capsule form. This oil contains gamma linolenic acid which is thought to be lacking in some of those who have eczema.

Phototherapy – this is another treatment for those with chronic eczema where the patient is exposed to up to 30 sessions of ultraviolet radiation. Expert supervision is required because the risks are the same as for sunbathing namely accelerated ageing of the skin and the increased risk of skin cancer.

As for treating the eczema, there is a natural range of products made from the fat of the african crocodile, it all has to do with the peptides contained in the crocodiles DNA. It takes away the itching and then makes the skin heal a great deal quicker, check out youtube and search crocodile oil eczema.

Angry and sad moods of child make the situation worse. I know that a child with eczema takes parents to the edge and many times we may become harsh. Try to keep your child happy.

You may become allergic to products you have used for years. Therefore, a change to all natural products that do not contain synthetic chemicals may be helpful. Some report that a sun bed is beneficial for treatment of eczema. Ultraviolet light exposure carries its own risks, particularly eventual skin cancer from exposure.

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Causes and cures of eczema – Part 7

August 14th, 2010

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Otherwise known as dermatitis, Eczema is a skin condition which can result in itchy, dry, red and flaky skin. While the cause of eczema is unknown, it is activated by the immune system and is not contagious. Although eczema is comparative to allergic reactions, it is altogether different. Aggravated forms of eczema are caused by strong allergic responses to external agents.

Eczema is associated with hay fever and asthma. Even though the tendency to develop atopic eczema is inherited, it is strongly influenced by environmental elements. Atopic simply means an extra predisposition to allergens. Atopic eczema affects young children and usually clears up by the time they reach their teens, but many carry it into adulthood.

Flare-ups include red, itchy skin, moist oozing, and possible swelling. Skin creases such as the wrists, back of knees, anterior of the elbows and around the neck are the most common areas affected. In the chronic form, the skin may be cracked, scaly and dry.

There a number of things that can cause flare-ups including animal fur, pollen, moisture in the air, food allergies, cleaning products and even house dust. There is no cure for atopic eczema but you can help prevent and treat it by healing the skin and keeping it healthy, preventing flare-ups, and treating symptoms as they occur.

Treatment:

Moisturizers help prevent water loss, keeping moisture in the skin while helping to keep contagions out. Creams and ointments are indispensable in the treatment of eczema. Corticosteroid creams are good for getting eczema under control and for most people, a mild hydrocortisone cream should bring a flare-up under control in one to two weeks. There are many strengths to choose from so if the eczema isn’t responding, you can increase the percentage.

Clean hands and short nails are one of the best preventions of eczema. If infection is suspected, talk to your doctor immediately as it can spread quickly. Antibiotics can prevent this. Sedative antihistamines can help reduce itching during sleep. Taking a bath before bedtime using lots of moisturizers can also help reduce nighttime itching.

Finally, there are many good over-the-counter products today for the treatment and prevention of eczema. Those allergic to peanuts should consult with the pharmacist as some products contain peanut oil. There are also alternative medicines. Homeopathy and Chinese herbal medicine, evening primrose oil, and borage oils are good choices but effectiveness and safety has yet to be proven. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using any alternative medicine.

Sources:

http://www.eczematruth.com/ http://www.eczematreatment.us/ app/default.asp http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ar ticles/article.aspx?articleId= 145

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5 Plants Used for Eczema Treatment

July 20th, 2010

5 Plants Used for Eczema Treatment

You may not know it yet, but a natural eczema treatment may be right in your garden or kitchen. The following has been used for many years now in relieving the symptoms of eczema.

Aloe Vera

We all know the many wonders the gel from aloe vera leaves does to the skin. It is no surprising that many skin care products have aloe vera gel as one of their ingredients. You can cut the leaf and apply the gel directly onto the skin with eczema. The gel works by moisturizing the affected area the skin will become softer and the healing of tissue will become faster. Many people who have tried the aloe vera plant noted reduced eczema symptoms and improved skin quality.

Chamomile

There are two distinctive popular chamomile plants: German and Roman. They both look like small daisies and, by tradition, used as herbal remedy for almost the same problems. Chamomile has been found to have anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties, therefore it is one of the many known natural treatment for eczema. The German variant is commonly used as a remedy for this skin condition. You can use chamomile tea as a compress on eczematous skin. Also, chamomile essential oils and topical creams may be used to massage the area with, and achieve similar healing effects.

Rosemary

Rosemary has been used for many centuries now because of its cleansing and anti-oxidant properties. You can purchase rosemary essential oils, bath soap and topical creams at aromatherapy and natural bath and body products stores. It is good at reducing skin inflammation and helps improve blood circulation. The camphoraceous smell also helps relive stress and invigorate you. Heres how to use this wonderful herb: as an essential oil, you can add a few drops onto your bathwater and soak yourself in it for minutes; as a soap and topical cream, massage onto the eczematous skin.

Walnut Leaves

The walnut tree leaves have been used for thousands of years now because of their medicinal properties, especially for treating various skin disorders. Their anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and astringent properties make them an effective remedy for scabies, skin ulcers, eczema and many others. You can utilize infusions and tinctures made from the leaves of a walnut tree to protect the eczematous skin from infection. A decoction may also be prepared as a compress on the affected area. To do this, cut 2-3 grams of dried walnut leaves into pieces. Place them in 100 mg cold water. Bring it to a boil then let simmer for 15 minutes. When cooled, apply on skin.

Turmeric

Turmeric belongs to the ginger family and is used worldwide for cooking as well as medicinal purposes. Yes, it is that yellow substance that adds color and flavor to curry. It has been found that curcumin, an active substance found in turmeric, has a wide variety of therapeutic actions, most especially its anti-inflammatory effects.

This works because of the substances ability to lower the bodys production of histamine, and possibly stimulate the production of cortisone a steroid hormone. You can purchase turmeric in pill form at natural food stores and take 500 mg of it daily. You may also apply it topically when bought as oil, cream or ointment. Mixing turmeric powder with water is also great for washing eczematous skin with.

A natural eczema treatment is definitely less expensive than conventional medications prescribed by doctors these days. They have been around for many years now and are used as a treatment for different conditions.

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Symptoms and Cure For Eczema

July 2nd, 2010

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Eczema is a very big problem for teenagers because they’re the age group that is most prone to their pores becoming clogged. Eczema is a condition in which your skin becomes irritated, red and itchy. Atopic eczema is the most common form and doctors don’t know exactly why it shows up in the first place.

This skin condition is genetic in a way because most people that have it have family members with eczema. It is most likely inherited genetically but it isn’t contagious. So, if you have it, you can’t give it to someone by touching or hugging them. Many people have eczema; it’s a fairly common skin problem that doctors see often.

People that have eczema may have allergies that worsen its symptoms. If you suffer from allegories to pet dander, dust or mildew, they might trigger an eczema episode in your skin. But, avoiding these allergens is a very hard thing to do. But, do the best that you can to help prevent a severe case of eczema.

The symptoms of this skin disease aren’t easy to miss. First, your skin will start to feel hot and very itchy. Then, if you begin to scratch or scrape your skin, it will blister or become every more red. Your skin will feel dry, scaly and very rough after this.

If you have these symptoms, visit your doctor. He or she will be able to diagnosis your rash or rough patches as eczema and provide treatment for you. You will probably want to see a dermatologist because they specialize in skin disorders.

Your dermatologist might give you creams, pills or both to take to clear up your eczema, depending on how severe your case is. This should help clear up the red, itchy patches in no time. There is no cure of eczema but you can try to avoid an outbreak by washing with hypoallergenic soaps, detergents and face washes. Ask your doctor for other ways to keep your skin feeling soft and eczema free.

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The Causes Of Eczema

June 24th, 2010

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Eczema is a skin condition that affects the lives of many people, it can be quite distressing as it can affect your physical appearance. Before the condition can be successfully treated, it is important to firstly establish the causes of the condition. Treating the symptoms will do nothing if the underlying causes remain, all problems no matter what they are should be tackled at the root.

Eczema is known as an ‘auto-immune’ response, its actually the body’s response to attempt to remove what the body sees as a foreign threat. Research has suggested that there can be a variety of different causes for the condition, including intolerance to certain food-stuffs, or just because of a poor diet. Allergies to certain types of food can adversely affect the immune system, which can ultimately lead to an increase in the frequency of auto-immune reactions, in particular eczema. If you are suffering from allergy-induced eczema, it is highly possible that simply eradicating that food from your diet will be sufficient to stop your suffering!

Many sufferers are completely oblivious as to what causes their condition, although the vast majority of people are willing to seek help in any way they can. With just a small amount of effort you can train yourself to discover which foods make your eczema worse and which make it better, you can discover this using trial and error testing. If you can find out what makes your eczema bad then perhaps you can reduce the need for any medical intervention.

At one time, it was proposed that eczema may stem from deep emotional triggers such as stress and depression. Although these conditions certainly make the symptoms of eczema worse, now scientists think that these have no direct link to eczema. Eczema can also for a variety of completely unrelated reasons. For more info see http://www.eczemacuretreatment.com/causes-prevention/eczema_ear_piercing.html

Many children who suffer from this condition get upset because the other children might avoid them. I myself suffer from psoriasis, which is very similar to eczema, I remember at school everyone asked me if it was contagious. Well contrary to popular belief, eczema is not contagious, so theres no reason to avoid any sufferers!

There are a wide range of factors which can contribute to the severity of a sufferer’s eczema. Firstly, the habitat and environment in which the sufferer lives can have a marked impact on the severity of their condition. People that live in dryer, warmer climates tend to suffer from more severe symptoms. Diet can also affect the symptoms experienced by eczema sufferers. It is common to find sufferers with low levels of amino acids and fatty acids in their diets, which can contribute towards restricting skin growth and repair. The use of fragranced grooming products can irritate the skin and can cause the skin to dry out, this can ultimately cause the eczema to itch. To reverse these factors, it is important to ensure the environment is as humid as possible, the sufferer should eat a healthy balanced diet, and also avoid using perfumed products until the condition has been fully resolved.

It is also possible for eczema to stem from a bacterial infection, which can cause a reaction within the immune system which can trigger the condition. It is therefore important to consult your doctor regularly to help to identify the cause of your symptoms, and to treat them at source to avoid the spread of your eczema.

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All About Eczema

June 24th, 2010

Reed's Third Bath

There are many skin problems that can affect us and eczema is one of them. The severity of this condition can vary from a type of eczema to another and from person to person. This word, eczema come from Greek and can be translated as to boil. This skin condition, eczema can look very ugly, but a good thing to know about is it is that eczema is not contagious.

Like in any disease, eczema has its symptoms as well. The main eczema symptoms are a red, dry and inflamated skin. The main characteristic of eczema is itching. In the areas affected by eczema you can also see small blisters, filled with fluid that can become crusted in time. The main body parts that are affected by eczema are the hands, face, elbows and the back part of your knees. However, eczema can cover almost all your body.

There are many factors that can cause an eczema. The causes of eczema depend mostly on what type of eczema you have. The types of eczema that exist may look very alike, but in fact they are very different, because these types of eczema have different causes. Here are the types of eczema that somebody may have.

First there is the atopic eczema and it is the most common of all the types of eczema. As many a one in five children may suffer from atopic eczema. This eczema type is considered to be hereditary. Contact eczema is another type of eczema, that develops when you have been in contact with something that your skin does not aprove of. It has similar symptoms to atopic eczema. Another type of eczema is the allergic contact eczema. Most of the people that suffer from this eczema are not born with this sensibility, but develop it in time.

Irritant contact eczema is caused by daily contact with some substances that can irritate your skin, like detergents.

There can also be complications in cases of eczema, if they are not treated well. In the case of atopic eczema, you might develop herpeticum. This happens when your eczema becomes infected by a virus called herpes. This is a very serious medical condition.

The diagnosing of eczema is not very complicated. Doctors usually diagnose eczema only by the apereance of your skin. There is also the case, when you have allergic eczema, to use a test that can tell you what you are allergic to.

For more resources about dyshidrotic eczema or even about eczema please review http://www.eczema-info-guide.com

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Eczema On The Scalp

June 24th, 2010

Reed's Third Bath

One of the most common forms of eczema is eczema on the scalp or scalp eczema. It is common on men and women, adults and children. Eczema affects various parts of the body but is most common on the hands, legs or scalp. Eczema of the scalp is different than other forms of eczema, simply because the skin on your scalp is unique compared to other bodily skin. This uniqueness is what makes eczema on the scalp so prevalent.

Sebaceous glands, present on the scalp, contribute to eczema by producing a large amount of grease. This is magnified by hair follicles which produce their own secretions. Factors like the environment also affect your scalp. Direct sunlight, heat and humidity in the summer and cold in the winter complicate things. All these things work to produce eczema on the scalp.

Eczema on the scalp has been categorized into two different forms. Environmental and internal eczema. Irritant contact eczema, allergic contact eczema and herpericum eczema are all the forms of environmental eczema. There are lots of different types of internal eczema including atopic, seborrhoeic, nummular, madidans, ruburn, pustulosum and asteototic.

Eczema on the scalp skin condition is predominantly seborrhoeic dermatitis. It causes irritation and itching. This loosens oily, greasy scales of skin off the scalp that flake off. It is also known as it more common term dandruff. Although this form of eczema is more common in men than women, both genders are susceptible to it. Eczema on the scalp in commonly seen in adults aged 30 years to 60 years.

Common symptoms of eczema on the scalp are itchy scalp, inflamed and red scalp. There are oily and yellowish scales that can flake off. Greasy skin patches on the eyebrows and behind the ears are also very common. There are a few theories about the causes of eczema on the scalp. One popular theory of dermatologists is a hormonal imbalance. Other dermatologists contend that it is caused by a fungus.

There are foods you can eat that will help in your battle against eczema on the scalp. These include fish, rich in Omega 3 oil, and salad. Medical solutions include anthralin, pyrithione and salicylic acids. Corticosteroids are also useful in battling eczema on the scalp.

One of the best non-medicinal treatments for eczema on the scalp is fish oil. Apparently the Omega 3 is an effective healing agent for scalp eczema. The consumption of fish oil will take time to show up in your treatment. It can take up to six months to see any sign of improvement. One is the advantages of Omega 3 fish oil supplements is the ready availability. It is inexpensive and can be taken as pills or just consuming fish will give you the benefits of the essential fatty acids that fish oil contains. The body uses these fatty acids to break down enzymes and particles that are active in people with eczema on the scalp.

Having green vegetables in your salads also help with eczema on the scalp. It has been known for some time the green vegetables have great benefits for your skin. Green vegetables and alfalfa sprouts both contain antioxidants which rids the body of harmful bacteria and microbes. These elements cause the irritation and discomfort.

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Eczema home remedies – Part 6

June 24th, 2010

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Eczema is a disruptive skin condition that either itches or causes pain. Finding the cause is the key to preventing outbreaks, while herbal remedies can relieve the symptoms.

Eczema is a skin condition that can be painful and embarrassing. It can be caused by stress or by allergies to substances such as diary products and is often linked to asthma. There are two forms of eczema: dry eczema manifests as itchy, red, flaky skin, while wet eczema, as the name suggests, is painful and weepy. Both are distressing and uncomfortable, but herbal remedies can help to treat the cause as well as the conditions itself.

The first step to treating eczema is to determine what is causing it. Allergy testing, for example, can tell you which foods or chemicals you should avoid and identifying and dealing with stressors in your life can help you eliminate this cause. Use your herbal remedies to supplement your changes.

Eczema can be a hereditary condition so the first thing you should do before changing your daily habits is to check whether any of your family suffers from it and, if so, what methods they use to alleviate it. Allergy tests will be able to tell you whether you can help the symptoms by changing your diet, soap or washing powder. Your doctor may refer you to someone who can carry out allergy tests if the cause of your eczema is still unclear.

Stress-related eczema manifests when you are feeling pressured. Make a note of periods when you notice any patches of eczema and you will be able to see whether this is related to stress at work or at home. Use herbal remedies to help you relax and de-stress and find ways in which you can reduce anxiety.

Once you manage to weed out the causes of your eczema and make changes to your lifestyle, you should find that the condition improves very quickly, especially when supplemented with herbal eczema-fighter.

Gentle, powerful herbal remedies can help you to soothe eczema outbreaks and, if used between flare-ups, can help to prevent them.

Nettle: Fresh nettles sting and irritate your skin but when the leaves are dried or boiled they lose this capacity. Nettle tea is helpful for eczema and you can easily buy it from supermarkets or health food stores. You could even make your own by harvesting a handful of nettle leaves (be sure to wear gloves) then boiling them in a litre of water for about five minutes until they are soft.

Chamomile: Chamomile soothes all skin problems, and is very effective

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